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Police talk suicidal man off bridge

Police talked a suicidal man off a bridge in downtown Portland on Sunday evening.

According to police, at approximately 9:30 p.m.

on June 15, Central Precinct officers responded to the West Burnside Street overpass over I-405 on the report that a man was threatening to jump from the bridge onto the freeway.

Central Precinct officers assigned to the Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team responded and attempted to talk with the man, who refused to talk with them as he straddled the railing.

According to police, after an hour of attempted negotiations, officers walked away and monitored him from a distance. An hour later, officers re-engaged the man in conversation and he quickly agreed to climb over the railing and go to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Police want the public to know help is available for community members struggling from a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. Suicide is preventable.

The Multnomah County Mental Health Call Center is available 24 hours a day at (503) 988-4888.

If you or someone you know needs help with suicidal thoughts or is otherwise in an immediate mental health crisis, please visit Cascadia or call (503) 963-2575. Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare has an urgent walk-in clinic, open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., 7 days a week. Payment is not necessary.